Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum

Covering an area of 80,000 square meters (about 20 acres), Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum is located in Purple Mountain in the east suburb of Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province. As the mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the father of the Republic of China, it is considered the Holy land of Chinese people both home and abroad. With deep historical significance, magnificent architecture and beautiful scenery, it is a must see when visiting Nanjing.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) was a great forerunner of the Chinese democratic revolution and led by Dr. Sun the Chinese people brought down the corrupt rule of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and ended 2,000 years of the feudal monarchy system, which led the people into a new age.

The majestic construction inside the Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum was started in 1926 and completed in 1929. The whole scenic area represents an alarm bell as seen from the air, symbolizing the noble spirit and heroic efforts of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's devotion to the Chinese people, fight of oppression and wining the independence of the country. Facing south, the structures, along with the mountain ascends gradually along with the central axis line running from south to the north and is regarded as the most outstanding mausoleum in the country's modern architectural history.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum

A Statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen

Pavilion Erected by Kuomintang

Traveling along the marble road, firstly you will arrive at half-moon square in the south of the Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum. It is understated and modest, while endowing grandeur to the Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum. Then at the entrance stands the great marble Paifang (memorial archway) on which is written 'Bo Ai' meaning 'love'. Through Paifang there is a Passway of 480 meters (about 1,574 feet) long and 40 meters (about 131 feet) wide, on both sides of which stand orderly pine and cypresses trees. Continuing forward to the end of the Passway, there is the Frontispiece, standing some 16.5 meters (about 54 feet) high and 27 meters (about 88 feet) wide. The Frontispiece has three archways, each of which has a pair of symmetrical enchased copper gates. Four Chinese characters are inscribed on the lintel over the doorways written by Dr. Sun Yat-sen meaning 'the world is commonwealth', which fully explains the cause he struggled for during his life. Through the Frontispiece is a pavilion made of marble, in which a great stele, 9 meters (about 29 feet) high and 4 meters (about 13 feet) wide, was erected by Kuomintang in memory of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. On the stele there are carved just 24 Chinese characters and no epitaph as people think that there are no words capable of representing this giant of modern China.

Mausoleum Gate with Three Archways

Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, Nanjing

Through the Pavilion, climbing along the stairs upward, the Sacrificial Hall is your next encounter. Here is the highest place of the Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, some 158 meters (about 518 feet) high. The Sacrificial Hall is located in the center of this plateau. It is an Alhambresque construction combining the architectures of both China and the West and is 30 meters (about 98 feet) long, 25 meters (about 82 feet) wide and 29 meters (about 95 feet) high.

The Sightseeing Train

Around the Sacrificial Hall, there are two 12.6-meter-high (about 41 feet) Huabiao, ornamental columns like those in Tiananmen Square. Entering the Hall, a 4.6-meter-high (15 feet) stone statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen sits in the center. He wears long gown with eyes facing forward, with an open book on his lap, demonstrating the wisdom of the great thinker. At the foot of the statue, there are six embossments exhibiting in vivid pictures Dr. Sun Yat-sen's glorious life and struggles in his revolution. The door of the tomb is in the center of the back wall.

The whole tomb is a hemispherical in shape, with the marble coffin of Dr. Sun Yat-sen set in the center of the chamber. His white marble statue rests atop the rectangle coffin, under which this historical giant forever sleeps.

Around the Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum there are many memorial buildings such as the Zhengqi Pavilion, Open-air Music Hall, Waxwork Home of Democratic Revolution, the Sun Yat-sen Museum and so on.

How to get to Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum

Mausoleum is free, but visitors need to use their passports to book the tickets in advance. The reservation system of the official website and Wechat account is available from 7:00 to 22:00; and visitors can also book it on site through machines, which are available from 8:00 to 17:00. The free ticket covers Entrance to the Mausoleum, the Stele Pavilion, the Sacrificial Hall and the Burial Room. The Open-air Music Hall charges CNY 10. CNY 100 for a combo ticket covering the Open-air Music Hall, Xiaoling Mausoleum of Ming Dynasty, Linggu Temple, and Meiling Palace. Free for children under 1.4m (4.6 feet).

Tips:

After visiting the Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, one may also pay a visit to the nearby attraction sites, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and Linggu Temple by sightseeing bus, battery car or small train. The sightseeing bus, small train and battery car ticket is CNY 10 per person, and the tourist special line costs CNY 2 for a single trip.

I plan to travel to Nanjing 30 dec 2018 - 1 January 2019.. is Monday 31st classed as a holiday?

So Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum will be open?

Answers (3)

Answered by Mila from MALAYSIA | Dec. 25, 2018 18:28

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Yes, Monday 31st Dec. classed as a holiday. And it will open on that day. Have a nice trip!

Answered by Ronique from ENGLAND | Dec. 25, 2018 21:56

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Can we purchase tickets on the day? As I didn’t know what to type to find the tickets on WeChat

Answered by Mila | Dec. 26, 2018 17:48

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Don't worry. You can just purchase the tickets when you arriving there. :)

Asked by eric from INDONESIA | Aug. 10, 2018 05:59Reply

Dr Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum open or close?

if i go to there on Monday August 20th, will be it close or open (maybe it count summer holiday)?

Answers (1)

Answered by Bob from UNITED KINGDOM | Aug. 12, 2018 23:01

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Yes, it is still open.

Asked by Fina Wise from USA | Aug. 08, 2017 21:55Reply

What itinerary can you recommednd to visit in Nanjing for two days with one overningt stay?

My husband and I are visiting the city leaving Shanghai on Friday morning and have to be at the Pudong Airport before 10:00 pm on Saturday. Please advice for the best itinerary, to get most of our time to see the attractions and time to relax and enjoy the food as well.

Answers (1)

Answered by Sally from ICELAND | Aug. 09, 2017 03:07

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Well, here is a route to you for reference. Day 01: Yihe Road Complex of the Republic of China – Zhongshan Scenic Spot – Laodongmen Pedestrian – Presidential Palace – 1912 Bars Street/Shiziqiao PedestrianDay 02: Xiaoling of Ming Dynastry - Confucius Temple - Qinhuai River - The Memorial Hall to the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre - YuhuataiTips: You may arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before the departure time of your flight.

Asked by Bea from CANADA | Jan. 27, 2016 00:45Reply

Can you give me guide on planning a one day trip from Shanghai to Nanjing?

I wanna get back to Shanghai in evening and the must see is Great Massacre Memorial Hall. Thanks.

Answers (4)

Answered by Bill from GERMANY | Jan. 27, 2016 20:14

10Reply

You can take a bullet train to NJ from Shanghai Railway Station or Hongqiao Railway Station (1.5-2.5 hours). The first train is scheduled at 6:00.

You may plan the tirp this way: Great Massacre Memorial Hall- the mausoleum- Confucious Temple. Afterwards, take a bullet train back to Shanghai from the main railway station or South Railway Station. By the way, the last train departs from the Main Railway Station at 22:51, and the last train departs from South Railway Station at 22:14. Don't miss it. :)

Answered by Bea from CANADA | Jan. 28, 2016 12:58

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Thanks so much, Bill. Really appreciated.

Btw which mausoleum are you referring to? Looks like a few of them in the city.

Also, do you recommend the Qinhuai River Cruise?

And which train station (Main or South) is easier to access to the places you mentioned.

ThanksBea

Answered by Bill | Jan. 28, 2016 19:58

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Hi, Bea! I mean Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum. Yes, Qinhuai River Cruise is also very good! You can also arrange your itinerary this way: Great Massacre Memorial Hall- Qinhuai River Cruise- Confucious Temple. The main railway station is easier for you to access to these places. I hope my advice will be helpful. Have a great time in the city! :)

Answered by Bea from CANADA | Jan. 28, 2016 23:43

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Awesome! Thanks so much for your help, Bill. Very helpful info and tips!

Asked by Supreeya from THAILAND | Aug. 11, 2015 22:07Reply

Hi. Planning to visit Nanjing alone in October 2015. can I travel around on my own? Advice?

Answers (2)

Answered by Miller from DENMARK | Aug. 12, 2015 00:56

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Yes, you can surely travel on your own. The transportation is convenient and it is safe enough!

There are many popular scenic areas in this city, including Confucius Temple, Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, Xiaoling Mausoleum of Ming Dynasty, City Wall and Presidential Palace. In addition, October is an appropriate time to tour around this area. The weather condition will be good. Have a good journey!

Answered by Supreeya from THAILAND | Aug. 12, 2015 06:58

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Dear Miller.Thank you very much for your reply with some advice, I appreciate very much.